Chapter 6: A Wife Worth Protecting

The atmosphere inside the Lowe family mansion remained tense.

No one dared speak after Shaun's warning.

Ethan's jaw tightened as he stared at the man standing beside Catherine.

For the first time in years, he felt powerless.

"Mr. Hill," Zachary finally broke the silence with a forced smile. "Please have a seat. We weren't expecting honored guests today."

Shaun nodded politely.

"Thank you."

Without releasing Catherine's hand, he led her to the main sofa.

To everyone's surprise, he personally pulled out a chair for her before taking his own seat.

It was a small gesture.

But everyone noticed it.

Mrs. Jones looked increasingly uncomfortable.

In the seven years Catherine had dated Ethan, he had never once treated her so thoughtfully.

Rebecca forced herself to smile.

"Mr. Hill, Catherine has always been a little impulsive. I hope she hasn't caused you any trouble."

Before Catherine could answer, Shaun calmly replied,

"My wife is straightforward, not impulsive."

"I appreciate honesty more than pretending to be perfect."

Rebecca's smile froze.

The room suddenly became awkward.

Ethan quietly looked at Catherine.

She seemed different.

Only two days had passed, yet the sadness on her face had disappeared.

Instead, she looked confident.

Radiant.

Almost... happier.

The realization made his chest tighten.

"Cathy..."

"It's Catherine Hill," Shaun corrected calmly.

"Or Mrs. Hill."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"Mr. Hill, with all due respect, this is between me and Catherine."

"No," Shaun answered without raising his voice.

"It's between you and my wife."

"There's a difference."

Zachary immediately stepped forward.

"Ethan! That's enough."

"Apologize to Mr. Hill."

Although unwilling, Ethan lowered his head.

"I'm sorry."

Shaun simply nodded.

"Let's move on."

Dinner was soon served.

Everyone gathered around the large dining table.

As the servants placed the dishes down one by one, Shaun quietly moved one of them away from Catherine.

"Don't eat this one."

She looked surprised.

"Why?"

"You're allergic to shrimp."

Catherine blinked.

"You remembered?"

"Of course."

"I don't forget important things."

Her heart skipped a beat.

They had only eaten together once.

Yet he remembered something even Ethan had forgotten years ago.

Mrs. Jones noticed everything.

She couldn't help comparing the two men.

For the first time, doubt crept into her heart.

Had they made the wrong choice?

Halfway through dinner, Rebecca suddenly smiled sweetly.

"Catherine, congratulations on your marriage."

"I forgot to prepare a wedding gift."

"Maybe next time."

"There's no need," Catherine replied politely.

"Your blessings are enough."

"Actually," Rebecca continued, "I'm curious."

"How did you and Mr. Hill meet?"

Several people immediately became interested.

Catherine smiled awkwardly.

"It was..."

Before she could think of an excuse, Shaun answered naturally.

"It was love at first sight."

The entire table fell silent.

Even Catherine looked shocked.

"Love at first sight?"

"Yes," Shaun continued calmly.

"I met her."

"I admired her honesty."

"Then I decided I didn't want another man taking her away."

Those simple words left everyone speechless.

Rebecca secretly clenched her fists beneath the table.

How could someone like Shaun Hill fall in love with Catherine so quickly?

Meanwhile, Ethan felt increasingly suffocated.

Every affectionate glance Shaun gave Catherine reminded him of everything he had taken for granted.

After dinner, the guests slowly gathered in the garden.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ethan quietly approached Catherine.

"Can we talk now?"

She sighed.

"Ethan, there's really nothing left to say."

"There is."

"I made a mistake."

"You moved on too quickly," Catherine replied calmly.

"No."

"I realized your importance too late."

"When I saw another man standing beside you... I finally understood what I lost."

Catherine looked at him silently.

"Do you know what hurts the most?"

Ethan asked softly.

"Seeing you smile at someone else."

"That's interesting," Catherine answered.

"Because I spent years watching you smile at Rebecca."

"Did you ever wonder how that felt?"

Ethan had no answer.

"Cathy... I..."

"Mrs. Hill."

Shaun's calm voice interrupted from behind.

He slowly walked over and stood beside Catherine.

"It's getting late."

"We should head home."

Without hesitation, Catherine nodded.

"You're right."

She turned back toward Ethan.

"Take care of yourself."

"And congratulations on your engagement."

Those words were polite.

But they created an invisible wall between them.

A wall Ethan suddenly realized he could no longer cross.

Watching the Rolls-Royce disappear through the mansion gates, he remained standing in silence.

Rebecca slowly approached him.

"Ethan?"

"Are you alright?"

He didn't answer.

His eyes remained fixed on the road where Catherine had disappeared.

For the first time since choosing Rebecca...

He began to wonder...

Whether he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.